HC Deb 20 March 1989 vol 149 c471W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department has taken on reports by United Kingdom fishing vessel operators of breaches of Community fisheries policy and European Community rules by Belgian trawlers.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The United Kingdom fishermen concerned have not produced any solid evidence to support their allegations against Belgian trawlers, nor are they substantiated by information available to the fisheries protection service. The United Kingdom co-operates closely with the Belgian authorities on fisheries control matters and information is regularly supplied to them. Such information has in the past been used by the Belgian authorities to institute proceedings against certain of their fishermen.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy in future that any reports by United Kingdom fishing vessel operators of breaches of Community fisheries policy and European Community rules by Belgian trawlers are taken up promptly with the Community; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Donald Thompson

It has always been my Department's practice to pass all properly substantiated information on offences of this kind to the vessel's member state and, if appropriate, to the Commission.